Bumper air dams

[Bob_Barrett]

Just wondering if some of you have an opinion as to whether an air dam serves a purpose, especially when towing . I have an older 95 Silverado that seems to have alot of heat that builds up in the engine compartment. The gauge reads normal , and i have added a tranny cooler, but not an engine oil cooler . From what i can read the air dams channel some of the air into the radiators and condensors for AC . Most of my camping destinations are within 60 miles , once a year a beach trip that is 140 . As i build up a little more experience we plan to venture a little farther

Bobby Barrett
05 Zepplin 28 ft tag

[Muddydogs]

Bob Barrett wrote:
Just wondering if some of you have an opinion as to whether an air dam serves a purpose, especially when towing . I have an older 95 Silverado that seems to have alot of heat that builds up in the engine compartment. The gauge reads normal , and i have added a tranny cooler, but not an engine oil cooler . From what i can read the air dams channel some of the air into the radiators and condensors for AC . Most of my camping destinations are within 60 miles , once a year a beach trip that is 140 . As i build up a little more experience we plan to venture a little farther

Bobby Barrett
05 Zepplin 28 ft tag

So your temp gauge reads normal but there seems to be a lot of heat build up in the engine compartment? You do realize that your engine is running around 200 degrees, made of aluminum and metal as well as being surrounded by metal right? Your engine compartment is going to be hot once all that metal warms up.

The air dam has little to nothing to do with cooling as it's designed with the rig's aerodynamics in mind. Air dam's are designed to reduce the drag under the vehicle by forcing air down to the ground reducing air drag under the truck. So actually an air dam might cause the engine compartment to be even hotter as its forcing air away from the underside of the compartment.

[Bob_Barrett]

Thanks everyone for the reply . My truck originally came equipped with a valance . Doubt this would serve the exact same purpose as an air dam ?Also they aftermarket as some post are real inexpensive

[sch911]

The air dam is to assist in low speed stop and go traffic cooling. It's there to stop hot air from the engine box from recirculating back into the condenser and radiator. They have no affect on helping cooling while driving down the road.

[JIMNLIN]

Our older trucks didn't have a air dam. The result was heat would pack up in the engine compartment.
The lower air dam creates a low pressure area under the engine bay which allows a better air flow through the radiator to flow through the bay and on out the bottom.
I found out the hard way on a 3500 DRW chevy when the dam was broken off hauling cattle out of a pasture. The result was a hotter running 454 at interstate speeds.

[BB_TX]

If you google 1995 Silverado air dam you will get links for replacement air dams. So I assume at least some came new with them. Not as large as newer trucks. But an air dam none the less.

[Huntindog]

Bob Barrett wrote:
Just wondering if some of you have an opinion as to whether an air dam serves a purpose, especially when towing . I have an older 95 Silverado that seems to have alot of heat that builds up in the engine compartment. The gauge reads normal , and i have added a tranny cooler, but not an engine oil cooler . From what i can read the air dams channel some of the air into the radiators and condensors for AC . Most of my camping destinations are within 60 miles , once a year a beach trip that is 140 . As i build up a little more experience we plan to venture a little farther

Bobby Barretr
05 Zepplin 28 ft tag

I am just about positive that your truck was originally equipped with an air dam. Most trucks since the 80s had them. A hard piece of black plastic that hangs under the truck below the radiator. It is usually one of the first things to fall off... And yes it was there for a reason... It helps with cooling.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I have beat the hell out of my 7.3 and it stays ready and willing to do the job. Not saying yours will or won't, but if it's set up to do what you ask it to do, it likely will without extra help.

If it was designed to be a toy truck, with fancy wheels and just look pretty, well, check into the different things that were available to make it into a heavy hauler, and make it work.

[Fireballsocal]

Please take this as my opinion only. I have voiced the opinion to others who immediately get defensive and I don't want to come across like I am being negative.

The engineers that designed your truck knew what they were doing with regards to capacities and specifications. As long as you tow within its limits, your truck is properly maintained and especially, the cooling system is in good shape, there is no need to try and re-invent the wheel. Drive the heck out of that rig.